Copyright Statement

Abstract

The accession of Antoninus Pius saw a distinct change in imperial frontier policy in
Britain. Upon taking power, Antoninus' representative in Britain, Q. Lollius Urbicus
undertook the systematic re-occupation of lowland Scotland and a new north-western
imperial border was established on the Forth-Clyde isthmus. In order to adequately
evaluate the effectiveness of this new frontier, the motivations behind the re-occupation of
Scotland, the structure of the wall itself and, most importantly, an analysis of the frontier's
effectiveness, needs to be undertaken. However, it is also necessary to establish and clarify
the goals of the Antonine frontier, despite the numerous and varied possible motivations
behind the re-occupation of Scotland and the establishment of a new frontier. However,
Antoninus' principal aims for this new frontier are clear: to establish and fortify the new
north-west border of the empire, as well as to control and Romanise the people within the
border. The actual structure and location of the frontier itself supports this notion.

With this in mind the frontier can be seen as generally successful during its initial
occupation. That the wall was abandoned shortly before Antoninus' death could suggest tt
was the ineffective and the frontier had failed, but it appears that this resulted from a policy
shift due to external imperial factors; a sound, strategic retreat to the Hadrianic frontier.
This change in frontier policy can then in turn be used to analyze Antoninus' principate in
general terms. It is particularly useful to illuminate his considered and yet determined
approach as Roman princeps, which has been consistently emphasized in his presentation
within the ancient literary sources. These portrayals have consistently shown Antoninus
Pius as a pious and diligent ruler. But, judging from the methods undertaken in the pursuit
of this northern frontier, it is possible to view him from a much clearer perspective: as a
determined and calculating princeps who exhibited a resolute and unwavering strategy
during his administration.